Nestled at the foot of the Wuyi Mountains in China’s Fujian province, the village of Xiamei has stood out as the starting point of the “Ten-Thousand-Mile Tea Road” since the 17th century. Located along the Meixi River, this traditional village was once a bustling hub for Shanxi merchants. Carefully processed tea leaves were transported from here through Hebei and Mongolia to Russia’s Kyakhta, and eventually reached Moscow and St. Petersburg. This route was not only a vital trade corridor but also a bridge of cultural exchange and mutual understanding across the Eurasian continent.
Today, Xiamei Village preserves the legacy of the historic tea route while offering visitors an immersive experience into traditional Chinese tea culture. Guests can explore Qing Dynasty tea chests, take part in tea processing workshops, and savor local delicacies. Revived under the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, the Tea Road has gained renewed attention through a joint World Cultural Heritage bid by China, Mongolia, and Russia. Following Xi Jinping’s visit in 2021, the integrated development of tea culture, industry, and technology has once again become a strategic priority.